Landon's Spring Program

Landon had his very last performance at Challenger. They really went all out this year with choreography and everything. Here is a little "chant" about the Scientific Method.

There were a lot of songs, but I will only post one (you're welcome), because it's one of my favorite songs. Not bad for a bunch of 3rd graders...

Then we headed back to his classroom to look at his Young Authors Book and meet some of his friends.

Easter!

Last night we colored Easter eggs to leave for the Easter Bunny. It's so nice that Olivia can get involved in our activities now that she's a little older.

The kids woke right up and started looking for chocolate eggs and their baskets, so I didn't get a chance to grab my camera before they found everything. I forced them to stay on the couch while I grabbed my camera, so here is our one and only Easter picture. Luckily it's a good one :)

Happy Easter!

Big Girl Bed!

I was dreading the day I had to take Olivia out of her crib. Even though she is 3 years old, she had never tried climbing out, so I figured, if it ain't broke, don't fix it! However, for the last few nights, she has been having nightmares and in order to get to me as quickly as possible, she would jump out in one swift move, landing on her head or back. So, it was no longer safe for her to be in her crib.

As I was taking down the crib, I kept telling her how she's not a baby anymore, and that big girls sleep in beds and they DON'T GET OUT. EVER. I really wasn't looking forward to seeing her cute little face every five minutes that night.

I must say, I was pleasantly surprised that she slept well, with no nightmares...and so did I.

I'm one of "them" now

One of the women in my neighborhood had a 'New Moon' DVD release party. Unlike every girl in the universe, I hadn't seen it yet. Anyway, I now understand why they all watch it together. The movies are kind of bad, but it's much more fun when you "ooh and ah" with a bunch of crazy women!

When we got to the front door, there was red carpet leading up to the porch and two life-sized cardboard cutouts. Too funny.

Then inside she had a drawing for prizes and custom water bottles and the whole nine yards.

Even though I don't totally understand the phenomenon, it was so fun!

Today

Today was a great day.
I needed a great day.

The last few months have been crazy.
Ear infections
Pneumonia
CT Scans
Ultrasounds
Science Fair
Speech Festival
Birthdays
Work
Work
Work

Today Jeremy took the kids to breakfast and to get hair cuts. I got to shower and get ready for the day. Not much of a luxury to most, but not something I often get to do (uninterrupted, that is). Then all of us played ping-pong and Super Mario Brothers. I haven't played that video game in 20 years, but I must say- I still have skill baby!

Jeremy had work waiting
I had cleaning waiting
But we left it

We needed to just play.

Now I am off to a "New Moon" party to watch the movie for the first time and hang out with some lovely ladies.

It's a good day!

Random Thoughts

Landon has the flu.
This is his second day home from school.

I kept Emma home today so I don't have to
drive Landon back and forth to school with her.
I kinda feel guilty about it.
She's ecstatic.

I haven't been sleeping very well lately.
I'm not looking forward to the time change this weekend.

I got rid of 120 TV channels.
No one noticed.

I love being in love.
I love being loved.

I want to run.
or even walk really fast.
But I can't.
I have the knees of a 60-year old.
I'm so disappointed in my body.
Bad body.

I hate when people review a product online
that they don't even own.

I can't wait for summer!!!

THE END

Change is Good...I hope!

My kids have attended the same school since they were three. Landon has now been there for six years, and Emma for four. While I love the school and the program, I hate driving (in rush hour) thirty minutes each way. Additionally, the tuition keeps going up each year, and with Livi starting next fall, it's getting really expensive. In our opinion, every dime we've spent on this school has been worth it, and we've prepared ourselves to pay for it until they graduate.

A few months ago, I spoke with some moms at school that were planning on testing for ALPS. ALPS? Like in Switzerland? I had never heard of it before. They told me all about it, and after reading about it, I decided to talk to the school district. I had no idea they offered an advanced program. We decided to test for it and just see what happened. So last November, Livi and I sat through three days of testing with about 200 other parents who all thought their kids were brilliant. Livi was such a trooper and I did everything I could to keep her entertained.




Then we had to wait three months for the results. During that time, we just assumed they didn't get in, and we went about business as usual. Then, on Saturday, I was talking to my friend Erica and she told me that her daughter got in. I had no idea they had sent out notifications (I guess I should check my mail more than once a week). I ran home and checked the mail and both of the kids got in! I'm so happy. It's only 10 minutes from home and I also have a carpool buddy. I'm also kind of excited for the track system. They are on B Track, which I really like. The kids are sad to leave their friends, but excited to wear "normal clothes".

Now let's just hope we made the right decision!

Wedding

My brother got married and asked my girls to be the flower girls. Emma was so excited to dress up and be part of the wedding. I don't think Olivia had any clue what was going on but was excited to get a new dress!

Emma, Taylor and Olivia

Olivia, Harrison, Taylor and Emma









My Mom, Grandma and Me



My Dad and Emma


My cute family


The Happy Couple

Wedding Dinner

The night before their wedding, Gary and Cristi treated friends and family to a nice dinner. Olivia had been up the entire night before, so unfortunately Jeremy had to stay home with her. They gave both girls a cute necklace and earrings to wear at the wedding the next day.

Getting Back a Little Sanity

I'm finally getting a few minutes to myself.

My goal is to finish blogging about December before March arrives- and yes, I realize that's Monday.

Look for a bunch of posts coming soon.

I know, you are holding your breath in anticipation.

Avenue Q

Jeremy really wanted to see Avenue Q. I had never heard of it, but I love a good musical, so I was excited that he wanted to take me. We went out to dinner first and then to Capitol Theatre.

I can't believe how hard I laughed. You would really have to see it for yourself to appreciate it.
Here is a little clip from the Tony Awards, which was rated PG.
The actual show...not so much.

Olivia's Last Day of Speech School

Olivia has been in an amazing speech school with the Jordan School District since she turned two. There are three teachers for only five kids. We have loved it so much and Olivia has improved significantly since going here. Unfortunately, today was her last day since has turned three. We are so sad to leave, but grateful for the opportunity to have been involved in such a great program.

Valentines Day

It was nice that Valentines Day fell on a Sunday this year. We carried on our Sunday tradition of going to Village Inn and then to Boondocks. Landon won me a rose that had earrings in them. He was so excited for me. I just love my family!

Oh-Verwhelmed with Oh-Livia

I've been a little overwhelmed over the last six months, which is why I haven't been able to keep up on my blog. With Jeremy working 80+ hours a week, I am truly a single parent without the luxury of having every other weekend off.

Landon's school is really aggressive right now and requires a lot of help from me. In addition to Scouts, we've also started piano for both kids, and dance for Emma. Livi is still in speech therapy once a week and is starting an articulation class next week.

An aggressive schedule like this is hard enough as a single mom without throwing any additional curve balls my way.

Enter Olivia...the cutest curve ball ever.

As a 2-year old, it's normal for her to have a hard time transitioning from one activity to another. It's also normal to have difficulty communicating her needs, which ends in a tantrum. However, with her sensory disorder, everything is intensified times five.

*Fair Warning: I'm about to go on incessantly about poo. Yes, poo. Please stop reading now if you don't want to hear about poo.

In January Livi had a double ear infection, which put her on antibiotics. This medicine backed her up really bad. We ended up giving her an enema after she didn't go for ten days. Since then she has been holding it in for fear that it will hurt each time she goes poop. Every couple of hours she screams bloody murder, and wants me to hold her because she's so traumatized by the whole thing that happened THREE WEEKS ago. I can't get anything done. I leave the room and she chases after me like I'm going to make a run for it.

Which I am.

I can't change her diaper because she thinks we are going to give her another enema. We end up holding her down to change a simple wet diaper, which traumatizes her more, and the cycle continues.

Oh, meanwhile, I have to do a Science Fair project for Landon, drive Emma to dance, make a salad for Scouts, help Emma with a book report, drive to piano, practice piano, plan Emma's birthday, and plan Livi's birthday. Oh, and then there's the laundry, bills, lunch, dinner, cleaning and other day-to-day tasks.

With an over sized 2-year old on my hip.

Screaming.

Also, since this traumatizing pooping event, she hasn't slept through the night. She wakes up every few hours screaming as though there is someone in her room pulling her up by her ears.

There's not.

I actually had to go back to forcing her to "cry it out", like I did when she was a newborn.

Except she just turned three.

Someone once said, 'God will never give you more than you can handle.'

Well, I'd like to meet that someone...

and throw him off a cliff...

and see how well he handles that.

I know I still have to post about Christmas, Emma's Birthday, Livi's Birthday, Valentines Day, and a few events in between. But, I need to go to sleep so I can be awakened in a few hours by my little curve ball.

Good night!

Annual Girls' Valentines Day Party

My cute friend Andra loves to host parties. I wish I were creative and talented in that area... I would probably host a lot more parties if I were. But, alas, if it's not something that can be done on a computer, I can't do it.

Each year she hosts a Valentine's Day party, where each guest needs to bring hand-made valentines to share with the group. The first year I made Twilight Candy Bar wrappers (again, by using my awesome computer skills). At that time I hadn't read the Twilight series, but I knew most of the girls had, so it would be a big hit. I was pretty impressed with myself until I got to the party and saw what all the talented ladies brought. I ended up slightly embarrassed with my little computer-generated gift.

This year, I actually considered snubbing the party so I didn't have to face the same embarrassment. Then I remembered there is an amazing website, etsy.com that allows crafty women (and some men) to sell the things they hand-make to those like myself, that are 'crafty-impaired'.

I found a talented woman who goes by the name of Ole Bag Lady, that makes the cutest fabric gift bags. I figured I could add some lotions and candy, and be all set. I think the hardest part was admitting that I didn't actually make them when everyone "ooh'd and awe'd" over these cute bags. I totally should have lied and said I made them, but I'm a bad liar. I can't even sew a button.

Anywho...

It was a great party (thanks Andra) and I got some great ideas for crafts that I may actually be able to make in the future.

If not, I'm sure I can find them on esty ;)

the loot

the host

the girls

the table

I'm Fee!!!

Olivia is three...or as she says..."Fee".

This morning we woke up and sang happy birthday to her and immediately opened her presents.

She loved her Dora dress up so much she wanted to put it on right away.

After hanging out and playing for a few hours, it was time to get ready for the family party. Any time we tell Livi we are going to a party, she says, "where's my party dress?" I'm not sure why, but she insists on wearing a dress to every party. She got to choose any dress out of her closet. I love that she chose this dress, because it's the same dress Emma wore when I got my pictures taken when I was pregnant with Olivia.

We had a lot of fun with the family and Livi of course got spoiled!

Where were all the guys you ask?

Well, her birthday happened to fall on Superbowl Sunday...

Olivia is such a fun girl to have around. She is always making us laugh and is VERY stubborn. She will do anything I ask, as long as it's on her terms and if we make it seem like it was her idea.
She loves to sing and play with her sister's Pet Shops. She also loves Dora and Max and Ruby. She likes to do "match sticks" (gymnastics) and ride her "cooter" (scooter).

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!!!